Canadian Election Observers Deploy Across Ukraine

KYIV, UKRAINE–(Marketwired – October 24, 2014) – Canada’s election observers have successfully deployed across Ukraine to observe the country’s parliamentary elections. Nearly 200 observers with the Canadian Election Observation Mission (CANEOM) will be monitoring the October 26th vote in all regions of Ukraine other than Crimea, where no voting will take place due to ongoing military occupation by the Russian Federation.

“At the request of the president of Ukraine, Canada is proud to support Ukraine’s democratic process,” said Senator Raynell Andreychuk, CANEOM’s head of mission, who has also led three previous election observation missions to Ukraine. “At this critical moment in Ukraine’s history, we are here to assist in ensuring that this election is a genuine reflection of the democratic will of the people of Ukraine.”

Following several days of rigorous training in Kyiv, including sessions on international and domestic election law, Ukraine’s political landscape, and the principles of election observation, CANEOM observers will monitor the electoral process in the lead up to and on Election Day.

The mission’s mandate is to observe, record and report, while in no way interfering with the electoral process as it unfolds. The mission expects to issue its preliminary report on October 27th.

Given the destabilization and conflict in parts of the country, CANEOM is mindful of security issues and has retained professional advisors who are actively exchanging security information with other election observation missions. “The safety of our observers is of paramount importance,” added Senator Andreychuk. “I am proud of our observers, and I am confident that this mission will be a success for the benefit of the people of Ukraine.”